Get a sneak peek at TheBabeGabe’s Honeypop at Josey Records this Saturday
Photo Courtesy of TheBabeGabe
When we spoke with Blackstarkids last year about their farewell release, HEAVEN ON URF, the group’s TheBabeGabe concluded our conversation by saying, “My growth keeps getting stronger and I’m excited for all the music I’ll continue to make with my bandmates in this new era we’re in.” That has proven true with the announcement of her upcoming solo album, Honeypop. Due out Wednesday, March 5, fans in Kansas City can get a sneak preview at Josey Records this Saturday, March 1, when the shop hosts a listening party with Gabe herself, along with DJ Sammy Sheets spinning records beforehand.
The new record is what you might expect from the former Blackstarkids member, but focuses on her voice and vision. Work started on Honeypop last summer, with production from The Humans—a duo featuring another former member of Blackstarkids, TyFaizon. The first track on the album, “Trust,” is also the first song they tackled, says TheBabeGabe. It makes sense, as the song feels as though it sets the tone for an album which covers a lot of musical territory. We posit to the musician that it seems like she’s got some focused anger going, and she corrects us.
“I would say it’s more so like hurt,” TheBabeGabe explains. “I think it’s like a little bit of everything—just being in a transitional period in my music career and then finding out what’s next. Then, obviously, there’s so much going on in the world—I feel like it all just came together in this project, helping me write it.”
Listening to Honeypop, one almost has to assume that, when the world is changing and the group to which the musician has been a part of for years is ending, the desire to create some sense of focus becomes necessary, and that focus shines throughout the record’s twelve tracks.
“I feel like I go back and forth on the album,” reflects Gabe. “I’m unsure what’s gonna happen and I’m like, scared but then, I’m also like, ‘I got this.’”
It’s a dichotomy reflected toward the middle of Honeypop, wherein “1999,” featuring Monogram, is an upbeat, poppy number that pays homage lyrically and musically to the turn of the century. TheBabeGabe is all posi vibes and then, two songs later, comes “PSA,” which is quite literally a public service announcement about where she is and how she feels—in no mood to apologize when she speaks her mind.
You’ll get to hear for yourself when the listening party takes place this weekend. Following the show, TheBabeGabe is slightly cagey, but is keen to admit that there are more events planned for Honeypop, which she’s really excited about.
“I really want to start doing shows, for sure, and I have a couple that I’m going to announce that I’m really excited about,” TheBabeGabe enthuses.
The listening party for TheBabeGabe’s Honeypop is Saturday, March 1, at Josey Records. Details on that event here.
